We live in an era that exalts self-sufficiency as a sign of strength. But Jesus's call in Matthew 16:24 leads us down a path of humility and self-denial. How can we follow Jesus in a culture that values independence and self-reliance above all else?
This post seeks to reflect on Jesus's message in Matthew 16:24, where He invites us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. We will explore how this instruction applies to our current reality, marked by the pursuit of self-sufficiency and independence. We will discuss the theological and practical implications of choosing to follow Jesus, even when it goes against the prevailing cultural currents.
Questions to Reflect
How can I follow Jesus in times of self-sufficiency?
... We live in a world that values independence and self-sufficiency, but Jesus calls us to depend on Him ...Modern society exalts the idea of being self-sufficient. However, Jesus teaches us in Matthew 16:24 that to follow Him, we must deny ourselves and take up our cross. Self-sufficiency can lead us to think that we do not need God or that we can achieve everything on our own. This can lead us to ignore God's will for our lives and focus solely on our own plans and desires. Following Jesus in times of self-sufficiency requires humility to recognize our need for God and courage to follow God's will, even when it contradicts the wisdom of the world.
What does it mean to take up my cross and follow Jesus?
... Taking up the cross is an invitation to abandon self-sufficiency and choose to live in dependence on Jesus ...Taking up the cross and following Jesus does not simply mean facing hardships or challenges. In Matthew 16:24, Jesus is inviting us to abandon our own wills and desires to live according to God's will. This can be particularly challenging in a society that values self-sufficiency and independence. However, following Jesus means recognizing that we cannot do everything on our own and that we need God in every aspect of our lives. Taking up the cross is choosing to live in dependence on Jesus, even when the world encourages us to rely only on ourselves.
How can I deny myself in a world that values self-sufficiency?
... Denying oneself is a call to reject self-sufficiency and choose to live in dependence on God ...We live in a world that values self-sufficiency and independence. However, Jesus calls us in Matthew 16:24 to deny ourselves and take up our cross. Denying oneself does not mean rejecting our personalities or legitimate desires. It means, instead, rejecting the idea that we can live our lives without God. It means choosing God's will over our own wills and desires. This can be a challenge in a society that encourages us to be self-sufficient and to pursue our own interests. However, it is only by denying ourselves and following Jesus that we find true satisfaction and purpose.
Biblical Examples
- Paul, a highly educated and self-sufficient man, meets Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19). Saul, later known as Paul, was a dedicated Pharisee who persecuted followers of Jesus. However, his life was dramatically changed when he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus. Following this experience, Paul, who was self-sufficient in his education and status, denied himself, took up Christ's cross, and followed Jesus. His example shows us that even in the midst of self-sufficiency, the call to follow Jesus is stronger and transformative.
- The story of the rich young man who considered himself self-sufficient (Matthew 19:16-22). The rich young man, despite his material self-sufficiency, sought Jesus to inquire what he lacked to inherit eternal life. Jesus challenged him to sell everything he had and give to the poor and then follow Him. The young man, unable to leave his self-sufficiency behind, refused the invitation. This example shows us that self-sufficiency can be an obstacle to following Jesus and accepting His radical call to love and sacrifice.
- Peter, a self-sufficient fisherman, is called to be a fisher of men (Luke 5:1-11). Peter, a fisherman who likely considered himself self-sufficient, had a transformative encounter with Jesus. After a night of catching no fish, Jesus instructed him to cast his nets again and, to his astonishment, he caught a large number of fish. At that moment, Peter recognized his dependence on God and followed Jesus, becoming a 'fisher of men'. This example shows us that Jesus can transform our self-sufficiency into dependence on Him, calling us to follow Him in all circumstances.
The examples of Paul, the rich young man, and Peter highlight the tension between self-sufficiency and the need for dependence on God in following Jesus. They show us that no amount of self-sufficiency - whether in terms of education, wealth, or skill - can replace the need for complete surrender to Jesus.
The main lessons from these examples are the need to deny oneself, take up Christ's cross, and follow Jesus regardless of how self-sufficient we consider ourselves. Self-sufficiency can prevent us from experiencing the fullness of Christ's love and fulfilling the purpose He has for our lives.
These examples challenge us to reflect on our own self-sufficiency and the ways in which it may be preventing us from fully following Jesus. They encourage us to depend more on God and seek His guidance in all areas of our lives.
Practical Application
Acknowledging the need for Jesus in our lives
In a society that values self-sufficiency, following Jesus requires humility to admit that we need Him. We are often tempted to think we can handle everything on our own, but Jesus' call in Matthew 16:24 challenges this mindset. We must deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. This means acknowledging our insufficiency and relying on God in all situations. For instance, at work, instead of trying to fix all problems on our own, we can pray and ask for God's guidance. In relationships, instead of relying solely on our efforts, we can seek God's wisdom to handle conflicts.Putting Jesus above our personal ambitions
Another aspect of following Jesus in a self-sufficient culture is to put Him above our personal ambitions. It's not always easy, as we live in a society that promotes the idea of focusing on our own interests. However, Jesus calls us to deny ourselves and follow Him. This could mean saying no to a job promotion that requires more time and energy than we're willing to give, or it could mean dedicating time to serve in the community or in the church, even when it doesn't bring material benefit.Developing a life of prayer and dependence on God
Following Jesus in times of self-sufficiency also involves developing a life of prayer and dependence on God. This might be counterintuitive in a culture that values independence, but it's essential for Christian discipleship. This might involve setting regular time for prayer, seeking God in important decisions, and learning to rest in Him, rather than relying solely on our own efforts. For instance, instead of worrying about a problem, we can bring it to God in prayer and trust that He will take care of us.